The wisteria chair exudes simplicity and solemnity, and is in line with the profound weight of the old masters. There is only one wisteria chair in this small hall, and Mr. Chen Yin, Xiao Moting, is sitting quietly on the wisteria chair, looking at the young man in front of him.
Xue Poye really felt a little constrained. He and Xiao Moting were the only ones left in this small hall. In the past, he could have dealt with it calmly, but in this current situation, the old guy in front of him is probably his master.
Even the future father-in-law made Xue Poye a little afraid. After all, whether he was a disciple or a son-in-law, he had to have a kind of respect and even awe for the serious-looking old man in front of him.
Once the identity of the same person changes, the feeling spread will also change. This is the most interesting thing about human beings, although it is not necessarily interesting.
"Unexpectedly, after all the twists and turns, you finally stood in front of me." Mr. Chen Yin's voice was calm, and Xue Poye had no way of guessing Xiao Moting's current state of mind from this calm voice.
Xue Poye could only try his best to look like a gentle man, respectful but without losing his manners: "Students have always hoped to receive teachings from my husband. Today I am lucky enough to do so. It is very glorious."
Mr. Chen Yin smiled lightly and said: "Education? Hehe, Xue Poye, you are too humble. In your heart, I am afraid that no one can teach you."
Xue Poye smiled faintly. This old man had never had a very good impression of him, and this subjective impression could not be changed in a short time. Therefore, he was very accepting of Xiao Moting's indifferent remarks and spoke calmly.
He replied: "Po Ye has never dared to blaspheme Mr.'s knowledge in the slightest. The survival of human beings always needs the guidance of culture, and Mr. Po Ye is the cultural guide. Po Ye is not allowed to say this, everyone in the world also knows it.
.”
Xiao Moting waved his hand, sighed, and said: "Don't lift me up so high. I'm old. I lift it too high and I can't withstand the fall." He picked up the tea bowl next to him and took a sip.
, then said softly: "I know your thoughts, so there is no need for you to say nonsense."
The small hall was very quiet. Although there were faint noises from outside, the impact of those sounds on the conversation in the small hall was almost zero. Xiao Moting and Xue Poye would never be affected by those scattered sounds.
Calculative thoughts.
Xue Poye couldn't figure out Xiao Moting's true intention, so he didn't answer the conversation and just stood in front of Xiao Moting honestly. Although he is now an official of the imperial court, even the Viscount of Da Chu, according to his official rank
, Xiao Moting turned around to salute him, but in this situation, Xue Poye knew that he had no reason to put on any official airs. In front of this old man, he still behaved respectfully as a junior.
After all, it was for Xiao Suzhen.
He even felt that the more he came into contact with Xiao Moting as an ordinary person, the more favor he would gain from this old man. At Xiao Moting's age and qualifications, he had never seen anything, even if he really had an official position.
If the pressure is applied, the old man probably won't even frown.
"Have you met Suzhen a few days ago?" Xiao Moting suddenly asked.
Xiao Moting's question was a bit sudden. Xue Poye was stunned, but immediately nodded and said, "Yes, I have seen it!" He almost had a misunderstanding with Xiao Suzhen that day, and it took a lot of effort to explain it clearly.
Xiao Moting then asked: "Did you know my true intention of recruiting disciples at that time?"
Xiao Moting's real intention in accepting a disciple was to choose a son-in-law who would ride a dragon quickly. Xue Poye knew this very well at the time, so when he heard such a question, Xue Poye could only nod slightly.
It is of course unnecessary to say some false words in front of Xiao Moting.
"So you took this exam just for Suzhen, not to become my student?" Xiao Moting did not blink, looking straight at Xue Poye's face with a stern expression.
For such a straightforward question, Xue Poye didn't know how to answer it for a moment.
If Cheng Cheng admits it like this, then he would be taking Xiao Moting too seriously. After all, Xiao Moting is so famous that many literati are flocking to become his disciples. If he says that he only participates because of Xiao Suzhen
In the exam, it would be too underestimating the status of "Mr. Chen Yin's disciple". I'm afraid the old man will lose face.
Now there is no matchmaking agreement with Xiao Suzhen, so it will do no good to offend the future father-in-law.
It's just that if Xue Poye denies it, he would be really sorry for his sincerity. This time he took the exam, he really stood up for Xiao Suzhen, this cannot be denied.
He hesitated and did not answer for a while.
Xiao Moting saw Xue Poye's solemn expression and did not answer. He stared at it for a moment, and finally sighed and said slowly: "Xue Poye, it seems that you are really affectionate and righteous towards Suzhen."
When Xue Poye heard Xiao Moting's words, he felt relieved and felt a little happy. He looked up at Xiao Moting and said, "Sir, I...I like Suzhen, and I sincerely want to marry her.
"
Xiao Moting picked up the tea cup again, and this time he took a big sip before saying: "Xue Poye, it's natural for men to get married, and for women to get married. There's nothing wrong with that. But... hehe, you are now
As the Viscount of Dachu, do you still think highly of our Suzhen family?"
Xue Poye was shocked, and then he realized that Xiao Moting had already known about his fate in Kyoto.
Thinking about it, with Xiao Moting's prestige and interpersonal network, Xue Poye became famous in Kyoto. It would be strange if he didn't know about it.
"Sir, you are joking." Xue Poye tried his best to keep himself calm, and tried his best to behave like a junior treating his senior respectfully, and said slowly: "When I entered the court as an official, I had no choice but to show my affection towards Su Zhen.
, it will not change in this life.”
Xiao Moting knew that Xue Poye was the Viscount of Dachu, but in his face and in his bones, he had no awe or awkwardness in facing the Viscount. There was only a kind of worry and scrutiny. He seemed to want to treat Xue Poye from skin to bone and from the outside.
Come inside and have a clear look.
But based on his ability to distinguish people, he really couldn't see clearly what was in this young man's bones.
In other words, he just saw the flaws and sensitivity that a young man should possess, as well as the restraint and calmness that were beyond Xue Poye's age. Apart from that, he really couldn't see anything more.
Of course he also wanted to know, how could such an ordinary young man, such a small businessman with a long history in Hangzhou, become the Viscount of Dachu, and even serve as the Deputy Chief Guard of Yulin and the Minister of Household Affairs?
Luck? That luck is too good, too good to be true, and it violates the rules of the power game.
If it’s not luck, what else could it be?
After a moment, Xiao Moting's voice sounded softly again: "You should know that when He Feng wanted to marry Su Zhen, I rejected him." After a pause, he continued, "You are a smart person, you should understand.
What I mean is, from the beginning, I didn’t want Suzhen to get involved in officialdom, and I didn’t want her to be burdened by the power struggle in officialdom.”
He Feng is Liu Tuo.
When Liu Tuo proposed marriage, he was rejected by Xiao Moting. It seemed that the forces behind Liu Tuo were too complicated, and Xiao Suzhen might be affected by it if she entered the Liu family.
For the sake of Xiao Suzhen's future, Xiao Moting even resorted to deception and asked Xiao Suzhen to pretend to be ill and deceive Liu Tuo.
"Now that you are in the officialdom, do you think I can trust Suzhen to you?" Xiao Moting stroked his long beard, and his eyes were exceptionally clear, never leaving Xue Poye's eyes for a moment.
If he were an ordinary person, he would probably be frightened away by Xiao Moting's clear and stern eyes.
However, Xue Poye knew that Xiao Moting was formally discussing something with him. Buried under this look was worry about Xiao Suzhen, and even worry about him, Xue Poye.
"I'm different!" Xue Poye finally uttered three words. He said these three words very carefully, as if they were very heavy and he was afraid of saying them wrong.
"Are you different?" Xiao Moting's eyes flashed with a strange look, and he asked calmly: "I would like to hear, how are you different?"
Xue Poye sorted out his thoughts in an instant and said slowly: "Liu Tuo and I are different. Liu Tuo has a deep court background, but I don't. Liu Tuo will fall sooner or later, but I won't." He was full of confidence.
Word for word.
"You won't fall?" Xiao Moting sneered: "You are too confident. No official in the officialdom dares to say that he will not fall."
Xue Poye said calmly: "What I mean is that if Liu Tuo falls, Suzhen will definitely be implicated. But if I face danger one day, I can guarantee that Suzhen will never be implicated. Please believe me on this, sir."
.”
Xiao Moting looked at Xue Poye's eyes. Those eyes were very clear, like stars in the dark night, but they looked so confident. Even a sophisticated elder like Xiao Moting had a look in his eyes when he saw such a look.
There was a strange feeling, as if Xue Poye was really capable of protecting Xiao Suzhen.
Xue Poye didn't finish his words. In the small hall where the two of them were alone, he was very frank and straightforward: "I dare not say how many conspiracies Liu Tuo has when he marries Suzhen, but the husband himself also knows.
I'm afraid there is a relationship of interest, but I, Xue Poye, can swear to God that my affection for Suzhen is not dirty or dirty at all."
Xiao Moting snorted coldly and did not refute. Apparently from the bottom of his heart, he also acquiesced in Xue Poye's statement.
"I can guarantee with my life that as long as I live, Suzhen will not be harmed in any way. I will devote everything I have to taking good care of her." Xue Poye said categorically: "Sir, please rest assured."
Xiao Moting couldn't help but touch the corner of the table next to him with his fingers, and said calmly: "Based on these two words of yours, do you want me to hand over Suzhen to you?"
Xue Poye reminded with a smile: "What you said is wrong. My words are just to express my intention. Being able to marry Suzhen is something my husband personally agreed to." He paused, with a spring breeze on his face.
Smile: "Sir, please don't forget, I have already passed three levels."
Of course, Xiao Moting cannot forget that he declared in front of everyone that whoever can pass the three levels will be accepted as his disciple, and more importantly, as his son-in-law. This was heard by everyone and can be testified by everyone.
Xiao Moting frowned, then spread his eyebrows, with a strange smile on his face, and said: "Xue Poye, are you trying to remind me?"
As a great literary figure in the Chu Kingdom, Xiao Moting was not as consistent as the Emperor, but he still had to keep his word. With his reputation, what he said was naturally a golden rule. It could not be changed, let alone go back on it.
Otherwise, everyone in the world will despise Xiao Moting in his heart for going back on his word.
Deep down in his heart, Xiao Moting also intended to marry Xiao Suzhen. The time is getting closer. If Xiao Suzhen is still safe and sound, Liu Tuo will definitely make a comeback if he gets the news.
The risk factor of marrying Xue Poye is obviously lower than that of marrying Liu Tuo.
Xue Poye laughed, took two steps forward, knelt down on one knee, and said respectfully: "Poye has met... my father-in-law!"
Xiao Moting was stunned for a moment, with an extremely complicated expression on his face. The corners of his eyes were twitching. The old man could see through the world. Although he could deal with many things lightly, this matter... was really messy.
Xiao Moting stood up, pondered for a long time, and then said calmly: "Bring your betrothal gift, Fengfengguangguang comes to the door!" After saying this, the old man put his hands behind his back, and walked out slowly under Xue Poye's excited eyes.